Savannah Water Conservation

Donated By: Wendy
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Overpumping the Floridan Aquifer, Savannah’s primary water source  is causing the contamination by undrinkable saltwater. The Floridan Aquifer is the primary water source for Coastal Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

Over decades of continuous pumping, saltwater has flowed into the Aquifer to replace the freshwater which was taken out. This saltwater has been flowing toward the pumping stations of Savannah/Hilton Head, Brunswick and Jacksonville. Saltwater intruction not only affects the underground water supply but can only affect lakes and rivers. Several wells in Hilton Head have already been affected by saltwater intrusion.

The Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Panning Act which shall become fully adopted in 2008 aims to establish policies and practices to better manage Georgia’s water resources. Part of the Act entitled The Coastal Georgia Water and Wastewater Permitting Plan for Managing Saltwater Intrusion focuses on halting the intrusion of saltwater into the Upper Floridan Aquifer by aiming to reduce pumping by at least five million gallons per day in 2008.

Simple Things that You Can Do:

1)   Repair leaking faucets, pipes, sprinklers and outdoor garden hoses.  Adjust your sprinklers so that only the grass is watered rather than the house and sidewalk. Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.

2)   Install low flow showerheads and toilet displacement devices, which can save up to 225 gallons of water daily. If your toilet was installed prior to 1980, place a toilet dam or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for each flush. Be sure these devices do not interfere with operating parts.

3) Install pressure reducing valves

4) Use gray water (from kitchen sinks, tub and washing machines) for lawn and garden watering.

5)   Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth and shaving. You could save 100 gallons a week.

6)   Fill the sink with water to rinse dishes rather than passing them under running  
water before loading them into the dishwasher.

7)    Operate the dishwasher and washing machine only when fully loaded. and you
could save 1,000 gallons a month. Also, when doing laundry match the water   
level with the size of the load.

8)    Plant drought tolerant plants or native plants called xeriscape.

9)    Wash your car with a bucket of water or turn off the hose between rinses.

10)   When possible, purchase new-water saving appliances. Certain newer model 
washing machine save up to 20 gallons per load.

11)   When you give your pet fresh water, use that leftover old water to water your
trees or shrubs.